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#NotYourAsianSidekick lashes out at stereotypes

A Twitter conversation on Asian American feminism using the hashtag #NotYourAsianSidekick quickly became a global discussion aimed at breaking silence around issues faced by Asian communities. Writer Suey Park launched the hashtag, which was used nearly 50,000 times in less than a day.

Users contributed their thoughts on taking down stereotypes and media portrayals, as well as on issues of sexism, racism and mental health. Many online used the hashtag to speak out against stereotypes of Asian women.

#NotYourAsianSidekick because America, you have built a country off of the backs of people of color in greed and violence.Suey Park

US colonialism has told Filipinas that Asian men are less desirable, that it's white men who will save us #NotYourAsianSidekickpdxPinay

The conversation addressed numerous other issues, including disability, the idea of a "model minority", and the appropriateness of the term "Asian American". The reaction to the conversation was largely positive, with many welcoming the discussion. Check out the full conversation here.

#NotYourAsianSidekick The use of the modifier "Asian" with the hyphen before American is to say we are not fully American.Suey Park

#NotYourAsianSidekick is trending because what u dismissively call "political correctness" is what I call "my life."Jenny Yang

If I'd read #NotYourAsianSidekick trend as a teenager I would've felt so glad to know there were others out there experiencing same thingsRubedoo

Now thinking about WHY I rarely get to talk about issues brought up on #NotYourAsianSidekick. The thing is, where is that space to talk?Something About Cats

Change in social attitudes towards Asian women is a long way off, but opening up the conversation is a great start #NotYourAsianSidekickAn L